Raw Material Resources Research Articles

Phenolic profiles and antioxidant activity in different organs of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum.

Sinopodophyllum hexandrum is a perennial anti-cancer medicinal plant as unique phytochemical composition podophyllotoxin, and it has special effects on the treatments of pneumonic, cervical and testicular cancers. Besides the podophyllotoxin, phenolic substances play a key role in the clinical practice. However, few reports were available in terms of the phenolic compositions and antioxidant activity. In this work, main phenolic compounds were quantified by RP-HPLC in seven organs from S. hexandrum. Simultaneously, the sodium borohydride/chloranil-based (SBC) method and the Folin-Ciocalteau colorimetric method were used to determine total flavonoids and total phenols contents, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the different organs was further assessed by three methods (DPPH method, ABTS method and FRAP method). Phenolic compositions/total flavonoids contents/total phenols contents/antioxidant activity was observed to have significant differences among different organs (P<0.05), but have a consistent changing rule viz. rhizome>root>fruit>flower>leaf>stem>petiole. Furthermore, a correlation analysis was employed and indicated that a positive correlation existed between phenolic compositions contents and antioxidant activity. Obviously, rhizome had high phenolic compositions contents and strong antioxidant activity with the low DPPHIC50 value of 23.52 μg/mL, high ABTS value of 1137.82 μmol equiv. Trolox/g and high FRAP value of 685.76 μmol equiv. Trolox/g. Therefore, rhizome is recommended as a preponderant medicinal part, and root is proposed as an alternative raw material resource for natural antioxidant agents in functional food, medicine and chemicals. This study can provide a new insight into the utilization extension of S. hexandrum resources.

Reduction smelting of ore-coal iron ore raw materials without carburization

Dedicated to grandfather and father Tleugabulov Suleiman Mustafievich&nbsp;and Tleugabulov Boris SuleimanovichWith the traditional method of processing cast iron into steel, a sufficiently large amount of finely dispersed iron-containing waste is formed at each stage, which represents secondary raw material resources. The use of them in small quantities as part of the agglomeration charge has no practical importance. Therefore, the development of technology for their mass metallurgical processing is a problematic task of a global scale. This present work is devoted to the solution of this problem. The processes of direct reduction of metals by solid carbon on the basis of new theoretical positions of dissociation-adsorption mechanism (DAM) open the way to effective processing of dispersed metal-containing industrial waste &ndash; converter and blast furnace sludge. Converter sludge represents a significant part of metal-containing industrial waste with a high concentration of iron. When organizing the process of charge preparation from the dispersed components of the charge (ore part and coal) and their uniform mixing, a developed contact surface is achieved. Unlike coke metallurgy, which is based on the preparation and use of a charge consisting of a lumped ore part and lump coke. When such a charge is loaded into the furnace, the chemical reaction between metal oxides and solid carbon is practically unable to proceed in a solid-phase state due to the limited contact surface between them. The pelletizing of a finely dispersed mixture will allow to obtain a mono-charge and to realize the process of reducing melting of the monocharge. In this work, the technology of one-stage reduction smelting of prepared ore-coal raw materials has been developed and proposed. At the same time, it is possible not only to dispose of the generated waste of metallurgical production (converter sludge), but also to recover the metal without its excessive carburization. In doing so, the final product of this processing scheme is naturally - alloyed steel without loss of valuable elements during the oxidation period.

CURRENT STATE OF SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS WASTE MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS IN UKRAINE

The paper analyzes the steady trend of solar energy development, which is accompanied by the formation and accumulation of solar panel waste. This process requires the application of accomplished waste management and the development of waste disposal technologies. It was determined that the problem of waste solar photovoltaic panels becomes more urgent due to the military actions taking place on the territory of Ukraine. The general characteristics of waste for different types of panels are given. The heterogeneity of the materials of photovoltaic panels leads to an ambiguous classification and involves a combination of safe and dangerous components. It has been determined that photovoltaic panel waste can be divided into two hazard classes: hazardous waste and non-hazardous waste. The key points of solar panel waste management operations are characterized in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Waste Management” and EU Legislation. The main points of disposal of unusable photovoltaic panels with recovery of valuable raw materials are described. It is noted that there are significant differences in the material composition of crystalline silicon panels and thin film modules. It is noted that two processing types of PV modules are currently distinguished – coarse and fine, and the most effective steps in the preparatory stage of disposal are also determined. In general, PV panel waste disposal operations combine mechanical and chemical material extraction processes. The imperfection of the legislative and regulatory framework in the field of waste management, the increase in the ecological danger of the generation and accumulation of waste, the imperfection of the information base and waste monitoring, the insufficient development of the processes of organizing the processes of collection, accumulation and transfer of waste for disposal, the insufficiency of proposals for methods of processing and disposal of solar panels waste as a valuable resource of secondary raw materials are notable as the main problems in the field of waste management of photovoltaic panels in Ukraine. One of the main tasks for development is to increase the share of waste materials that are currently not disposed of, but can be used as secondary raw materials.

ENZYMES AND APPROACHES TO THEIR APPLICATION IN THE LEATHER PRODUCTION

In a market economy, the leather industry faces new challenges, including the need to improve and optimize technological processes to achieve the required quality of final products and comply with environmental legislation. The practical experience and long-term achievements of the authors in the field of natural leather production indicate the importance of choosing the right method and materials for processing raw and semi-finished hides. One proven solution is the use of enzymes. Based on the results of the analysis of literary sources, information on traditional ideas about enzymes and approaches to their use in the production of natural leather is systematized. According to established ideas, enzymes are not just organic substances, proteins, but also high-speed catalysts for multiple chemical and biochemical reactions. Preparations based on enzymes have been commercially studied in detergents, food, light, pharmaceutical, diagnostic, chemical and other industries, in the agro-industrial complex. This prevalence is explained by the fact that the use of these funds contributes to improving the quality of products, culture and the level of greening of production, more rational use of raw materials and material resources. In the leather industry, enzymatic processes have gone through a long evolutionary path – from the use of primitive improvised means to the use of preparations that are more up to date with the requirements of the time. According to the modern classification, enzymes are divided into six main classes according to the nature of the catalyzed reaction. In the manufacture of genuine leather, taking into account the nature of the substrate (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids), preparations based on enzymes are used that belong to the class of hydrolases (proteases, amylases, lipases) and differ from each other in the active center and mode of action. The preparations used can either accelerate processes that usually proceed slowly (soaking), or provide a specific transformation of raw material (bating), or replace known chemical reagents (unhairing). The results obtained will be taken into account in the future when studying innovative approaches to the enzymization of leather production.

DIGITAL REVITALIZATION OF POPULAR PORT PRODUCTS

Restoring and revitalizing popular port products is a long-term process. The time workmanship for making a shirt by an experienced craftswoman lasts about from six to nine months. Various studies of the folk costume often require the restoration of the product. The need for restoration is imposed by: the analysis and study of the cooperation of embroidery elements with the form of product offered by shirts of different types; analysis and adaptation of the shape of the shirt to the conformation of the wearer; analysis of the form and assembly methods offered by the cut schemes; restoration of cut landmarks and schemes with immediate simulation on the mannequin of museum products (Republic of Moldova); analysis and adaptation of these products to carrier conformation parameters; identification of conformation parameters, etc. The advanced level of contemporary digital technologies allows us in reduced time to simulate the product form without waste accumulations and the destruction of raw material resources. In this work will be presented the results offered by the digital simulation of the products of folk costumes, vestiges of the cultural heritage from the Museum of History and Ethnography, Hancesti city. You also have the connection possibilities of digital technologies and technologies used in the manufacture of popular port products.

Mechanical and Durability Properties of Self-Compacted Concrete Incorporating Waste Crumb Rubber as Sand Replacement: A Review

The lack of disposal facilities for waste tires from various vehicles is a major environmental and economic problem. Crumb rubber (CR) generated from waste tires can be used to partially replace fine natural aggregates in self-compacted concrete (SCC), lowering sand usage and protecting raw material resources. The main objective of this study is to summarize the influence of CR as a partial replacement for sand on the behavior of SCC. For this aim, 42 papers were selected out of 89 that were relevant to the objective of this study. The mechanical properties, i.e., compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and bond strength, as well as the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), were all reduced by the insertion of CR into SCC mixtures. With the addition of CR, fracture energy decreases, but the ductility of concrete in terms of characteristic length can be enhanced. Meanwhile, replacing sand with CR can also reduce the durability performance of SCC, such as sorptivity, free-drying shrinkage, rapid chloride permeability, and depth of chloride penetration, except for the electrical resistivity, depth of carbonation, and impact resistance, which exhibit a positive tendency. Based on the results of the reviewed articles, predicted reductions in the strength of the SCC incorporating CR were also recommended. Moreover, the results of the reviewed studies were employed to develop empirical models that demonstrate the relations between various mechanical properties.

A new digital lithological map of Italy at the 1:100 000 scale for geomechanical modelling

Abstract. Lithological maps contain information about the different lithotypes cropping out in an area. At variance with geological maps, portraying geological formations, lithological maps may differ as a function of their purpose. Here, we describe the preparation of a lithological map of Italy at the 1:100 000 scale, obtained from classification of a comprehensive digital database and aimed at describing geomechanical properties. We first obtained the full database, containing about 300 000 georeferenced polygons, from the Italian Geological Survey. We grouped polygons according to a lithological classification by expert analysis of the 5456 original unique descriptions of polygons, following compositional and geomechanical criteria. The procedure resulted in a lithological map with a legend including 19 classes, and it is linked to a database allowing ready interpretation of the classes in geomechanical properties and is amenable to further improvement. The map is mainly intended for statistical and physically based modelling of slope stability assessment and geomorphological and geohydrological modelling. Other possible applications include geoenvironmental studies, evaluation of river chemical composition, and estimation of raw material resources. The dataset is publicly available at https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.935673 (Bucci et al., 2021).

The Possibility of Using Waste Phosphates from the Production of Polyols for Fertilizing Purposes.

The limited resources of phosphorus raw materials, which are located outside of Europe, make it necessary to obtain phosphorus from the waste stream. This is reflected in the new EU Regulation 2019/1009, which concerns making fertilizing products available on the market. Its main goal is to harmonize the standards for fertilizers obtained from organic or secondary raw materials in the EU and to create new opportunities for their production and sale. The fertilizer sector uses almost 90% of the phosphorus raw material, for which there is no substitute, and the demand for fertilizers is constantly growing, stimulated by the growing number of people. A substitute for expensive imported raw materials can be waste sodium–potassium phosphate from the production of polyols. This study analyzes the composition and form of waste from PCC Rokita S. A. from Brzeg Dolny in Poland, in terms of the possibility of using it in the production of fertilizers according to the new EU regulations. Research shows that it contains nearly 19% phosphorus, as well as potassium and sodium. Low-level impurities and low organic matter content classify it as a raw material for the production of inorganic fertilizers. Due to the high water content, the most advantageous form of its use is the production of fertilizers in the form of a suspension. A certain difficulty in the production of this type of fertilizer may be the layers of crystals of different sizes precipitating in the waste.

The Astysphere - a concept to overcome the polarity between cities and nature and to develop sustainable urban raw material fluxes

The lion’s share of anthropogenic material and energy consumption is caused by cities. Some global chemical element fluxes are already more influenced by human beings as by non-human biological and geological forces. Climate change is produced to a large portion by urban processes. Worldwide, the surface morphology is currently determined by anthropogenic activities. Urbanization has become a major global exogenic geological factor. Nevertheless, catastrophes such as the flooding in the Ahr valley, Germany, or the lava emission on La Palma, Spain, in 2021 are reminding human beings of their vulnerability. The concept of the Astysphere is a further development of the concepts of global spheres such as the lithosphere and the biosphere as it was invented by the Geochemists V. M. Goldschmidt and V.I. Vernadsky. This concept describes the global urban system as balancing zone for chemical element and energy fluxes. Within this concept, cities are reservoirs of specific chemical elements in ratios never occurred in natural history before only created by human activity. It is one of the main tasks of geochemistry to understand why which chemical element occurs where. This knowledge enables to identify raw material resources. Transferring this concept to urban systems is meaning to identify the chemical element resources in urban systems accumulated here by human beings and to explore whether these resources are worth to be extracted. Currently, there is some knowledge available on the amounts of construction materials used in urban systems, such as gravel, asphalt, steel or concrete. Only little knowledge is available on the amounts and speciations of specific chemical elements in urban systems such as e.g. molybdenum, germanium, neodymium or mercury, just to mention some of those. But sustainable development of cities means to know, which chemical elements occur in cities and whether they can be recycled or whether they are a danger for human health. The concept of the Astysphere provides an approach to understand the meaning of cities for global chemical element fluxes and to raise the awareness to control these for a sustainable development of the earth.

Fe2VO4 nanoparticles on rGO as anode material for high-rate and durable lithium and sodium ion batteries

Iron vanadate (FexVOy), especially Fe2VO4, is a promising anode material for lithium and sodium ion batteries due to their high capacity and abundant raw material resources. However, its capacity decays rapidly at high rates due to volume expansion and low electrical conductivity. Herein, uniform small Fe2VO4 nanoparticles (FVO) are grown on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) by solvothermal treatment and subsequent calcination, forming a conductive-network (FVO/rGO). The flexible rGO can effectively prevent FVO particles agglomerating and buffer the volume expansion during the reaction process. The high electrical conductive rGO and small FVO particles benefit from electrons’ fast transport, improving the electrical conductivity of FVO/rGO. The sheet-like structure of FVO/rGO can be fully contacted with the electrolyte to further increase electron/ion transport. The pseudocapacitive-controlled behavior is the dominating lithium/sodium storage mechanism, which facilitates a fast charge/discharge process. As a result, FVO/rGO composite displays a stable high capacity of 1013.7 mAh g-1 at 500 mA g−1 after 300 cycles when it is used for lithium-ion batteries. Moreover, it shows remarkable rate capability (228.9 mAh g-1 at 20 A g-1) and excellent long-cycle stability (223.6 mAh g-1 at 10 A g-1 after 2500 cycles). It also exhibits a high discharge capacity of 137 mAh g-1 after 1500 cycles at 1.0 A g-1 for sodium-ion batteries. The superior electrochemical performance proves it an ideal anode material for high-rate and durable lithium and sodium-ion batteries.

Advanced recycled carbon fiber (rCF) reinforced PEEK composites – excellent alternatives for high-performance tribomaterials

Serious environmental pollution, increasing energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions as well as raw material resources scarcity are huge challenges in our today's society. In order to realize sustainable development and preserve the environmental balance, the 3R rule is applied, which corresponds to reduce, reuse and recycle. In materials development, this rule needs to be also considered for the sustainable development. In the present study, we used different recycled carbon fibers to manufacture polyetheretherketone-based tribocomposites. The results demonstrate that recycled carbon fibers, independent of their recycling histories, can serve as excellent candidates for preparing high-performance tribocomposites. The friction and wear performance are much better than those of a commercially available product, which is quite close to the best tribological performance of distinct high-performance tribomaterials reported in the literature.

SELECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PEAT AND PLANT MATERIALS FOR BIOCIDAL PREPARATIONS

Sphagnum moss and peat formed on its basis is estimated by experts as ecologically pure raw material resource for development of new effective medicines as their structure contains a wide set of biologically active compounds of different classes: polysaccharides, uronic acids, flavonoids, phenocarboxylic acids, aldehydes, coumarins, triterpene&#x0D; compounds, organic acids, mineral salts, and in peat also humic substances. The objects of the study were sphagnum&#x0D; magellanicum and sphagnum fuscum peat and 4 samples of sphagnum moss: Sph. magellanicum, Sph. fuscum, Sph. angustifolium and Sph. apiculatum which in the future is supposed to be used as a raw material for preparation of biocidal&#x0D; agents. The geobotanical and physico-chemical characteristics of the selected samples was carried out. All of them are characterized by low ash content (1.32–3.59 %), high content of organic substances and their active acidity is within the range 3.8–4.4 units, which is typical for sphagnum-type raised peat and sphagnum moss. In the infrared spectra of all samples observed absorption bands due to valence and strain vibrations of hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl, amide and other functional groups of carbohydrates, phenols, alcohols, organic acids, esters of aliphatic and aromatic nature, typical for&#x0D; plants-peat formers and upper peats of low degree of decomposition. It has been established that samples of sphagnum&#x0D; mosses and sphagnum peat are labile hemicellulose-containing raw materials; the amount of easily hydrolyzable polysaccharides in mosses reaches 55 %, in peats – 45 % of organic matter. The content of reducing substances in hydrolysates of hemicelluloses of mosses is 55–59 %, that of peat is 53–54 %. The mass fraction of cellulose in the organic matter of sphagnum mosses is 23–26 %, in peat 22–24, in humic substances 17.7–20.9 %. All samples contain small amounts&#x0D; (0.8–2.3 %) of extractive substances extracted by organic solvents and 7.1–13.0 % of lignin. Literature data, as well as the&#x0D; performed spectral and chemical characteristics of the selected samples showed that among the biologically active substances found in their composition, the most interesting are polysaccharide and phenolic complexes, since the pharmacological properties of sphagnum mosses and low-degradation peat can be attributed to the presence of these compounds.

Optimisation of semi-upscaled polymer inclusion membrane (PIMs) based device for passive remediation of metal ions in acid mine drainage (AMD)

Acid mine drainage (AMD) has been a source of environmental contamination in many parts of the world. This is because many countries depend on mining as a source of revenue. However, waste tailing dumps often leach out toxic waste with high levels of metal ions and flow downstream to dams and rivers. The current remediation methods (passive and active) are expensive or ineffective for long-term use. In some cases, these methods generate solid slag waste as a major by-product. However, as part of the green and circular economy, waste materials are viewed as potential resources for raw materials. This work then reports on the design, laboratory optimisation and early-stage application of semi-pilot passive remediation device for the possible recovery of metal ions (cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, and nickel) in AMD generated in the tailings pond. The sampling remediation device consisted of a polymer inclusion membrane composed of polyvinyl chloride and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid as a semi-penetrable barrier. The device had an upscaled chamber made of nylon with 1000 mL of the receiving solution. This developed passive remediation device was used in both synthetic and real AMD samples where a linear uptake of metals was demonstrated from day 6 to over a month with little influence of matrices. During deployment, the pH was increasing in the receiving solution and decreasing in the source solution of the linear region thus indicating the analytes facilitated transport. On day 35 of environmental application accumulated concentrations of target metal ions were Ni (63.42 mg L−1), Cd (47.48 mg L−1), Co (57.34 mg L−1), and Cu (49.86 mg L−1). Further, the characterisation results showed no signs of membrane degradation in this period. This highlights that the PIMs are a promising future for passive remediation and/or recovery of metal ions in mine wastewater before contamination of rivers and dams downstream.

Influence of process conditions on the composite construction material properties based on sulfur binder

The construction industry is the most large-capacity industry, where the issue of quality and availability of basic road construction materials is particularly acute. Established resources of high-quality mineral raw materials that could be used for the construction materials production are practically absent in the Yakutia territory and are located extremely unevenly, which significantly reduces the work quality performed, and when delivering conditioned materials to the construction site, leads to a significant increase in cost. In this regard, the issue of using local raw materials, including off-quality ones, as well as industrial waste for the construction composite materials development, including concrete, with high physical, mechanical and operational properties complex is currently acute. Thus, recently there has been an increased interest in sulfur-containing materials, in which sulfur plays a fundamental component role and provides a high technical effect — hydrophobicity, sufficiently high strength, frost resistance, and durability necessary for composite road construction materials operating in Yakutia. This article presents the research results on the development of technology and new sulfur concrete compositions from fine river sands and crushed limestone screenings using technical and modified sulfur as a binder. The possibility of using local raw materials and sulfur binder for sulfur concrete production, which differs from traditional concrete on Portland cement, by a high physical and mechanical properties complex, has been established.

Optimization of wheat flour production processes in a flour mill industry using linear programming

This study applied linear programming method as an optimization package to analyze the operational processes of wheat flour mill industry, with functional models developed using defined variables constraints of wheat flour x_1, baking flour x_2 and semolina x_3 for objective functions. Furthermore, a proficient operational process of wheat flour mill industry based on raw materials requirements and production cost using linear programming method with MATLAB application to optimize the operational process of wheat flour production plant by maximizing raw material resources and minimizing production cost using a modified milling process flow chart for enhanced products yield from the milling of the whole wheat grains, and a monthly analysis of the available wheat resource for production and machine hours operated during each month. The results after computing the average supply of wheat and available machine hours as variables and modelled into linear programming equations for optimization showed increase in semolina production, reduction in wheat flour production and reduction in production cost of baking flour respectively. In addition, the profit generated showed a significant increase in the months of December at ₦164,850.00 (highest) when the machine hours and wheat available were at its peak. Thus, baking flour was found to be the least profitable among the three products monthly and recommendations suggested a reduction in its production cost to enable profitability in its production

The Effects of Availability of Resources on the Implementation of Turnaround Strategy at New Kenya Co-operative Creameries Limited

This study investigates the effect of resources on the implementation of turnaround strategy at New Kenya Co-operative Creameries Ltd (NKCC). This study was guided by the stage and action theory with more emphasizes being given to stage theory. The study adopted a case study research strategy. Data was collected using questionnaires from 43 managers and management employees of New KCC selected from three branches (Nairobi, Limuru and Thika). The data was analysed quantitatively and the findings presented in frequency distribution tables and bar graphs. From the findings, the researcher found out that resources affected the implementation of turnaround strategies. The most important factors related to resources were inadequate training and instruction given to lower level employees; ineffective coordination of implementation activities; low competence, coordination, and commitment among human resources; inadequate leadership and direction provided by departmental manager; delays due to additional costs and instabilities during the process of change and; lack of enough raw material (resources). Interestingly, this study found out that lack of physical resources may not translate to effective implementation of turnaround strategies. There may be sufficient machinery and human resources in the various departments, however, there has to be competent managers to ensure efficient utilize of such resources. In light, it was deduced that there is need to align the physical resources that an organization has with competent human resources so as to effectively realize effective implementation of turnaround strategies. This study recommends that the most important resources to be acquired are competent personnel. This is particularly so since, the various aspects of the implementation of turnaround strategies need such personnel. As such, they should be well trained and suitable to carry out the various tasks needed to ensure that the strategies under their docket are well implemented. NKCC should also ensure that there is modern equipment and funds to facilitate the change management. Budgets should be reviewed regularly so as to ensure presence of adequate resources to sustain the implementation of turnaround strategies.

Current Insights into the Molecular Mode of Action of Seaweed-Based Biostimulants and the Sustainability of Seaweeds as Raw Material Resources.

Natural biostimulants, such as seaweed extracts, can stimulate plant growth and development in both model and crop plants. Due to the increasing demands for their use in agriculture, it is crucial to ensure the sustainability of the sources from which they are produced. Furthermore, some seaweed extracts were recently shown to prime and protect from adverse environmental factors such as drought, salinity and extreme temperatures, as well as from oxidative stress. The molecular mode of action of these biostimulants has still not been fully elucidated, but there has been significant progress in this direction in the last years. Firstly, this review examines the sustainability aspects of harvesting seaweed resources as raw materials for manufacturing biostimulants and provides an overview of the regulatory landscape pertaining to seaweed-based biostimulants. The review then summarises the recent advances in determining the genetic and molecular mechanisms activated by seaweed-based biostimulants, their influence on transcriptome reconfiguration, metabolite adjustment, and ultimately stress protection, improved nutrient uptake, and plant growth and performance. This knowledge is important for deciphering the intricate stress signalling network modulated by seaweed-based biostimulants and can aid in designing molecular priming technologies for crop improvement.

The Need and Prospects for the Creation of a National Exchange of Secondary Resources

The problem of utilization firm municipal and municipal solid waste (and MSW) and rational use of secondary raw material resources in the conditions of the outlined transition to economy of the closed cycle is considered. The analysis of this problem made it possible to identify the insufficiency of currently used measures, including market instruments that stimulate the use of more effective methods of waste processing. The need to create a national exchange of secondary resources as a promising trading platform, an instrument for market regulation of prices for secondary raw materials, a mechanism of interaction between authorities, the business sector and the population is justified. The main functions of the secondary resource exchange and its advantages are described, an analysis of the likely barriers to its creation and highly efficient functioning is carried out.

A piece of common cellulose paper but with outstanding functions for advanced aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are considered to be one of the most promising next-generation large-scale energy storage devices owing to their abundant raw material resources, high safety, and cost-effectiveness. However, the uncontrollable zinc dendrite growth and cathode dissolution severely deteriorate the cycling performance of the batteries, thus hindering their practical application. Herein, we directly implant a commercially available cellulose paper at the glass fiber-zinc anode interface to improve the overall battery performance. The highly zincophobic cellulose paper can induce lateral zinc growth on the surface and alleviate by-product accumulation at the interface by its poor electrolyte affinity and retention. Besides, the nanoporous cellulose paper with abundant hydroxyl groups strongly adsorbs vanadium ions dissolved from the cathode and prevents the shuttle of vanadium ions to the anode interface. As a result, the assembled NH4V4O10//Zn full cell with cellulose paper exhibits an outstanding long cycle life of 850 cycles with the capacity retention of 89% at a current density of 4 A g−1. This strategy offers an emerging avenue to design sustainable and low-cost separators for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

DFT Study on the Compatibility Between Bentonite Clay Mineral and Hydration Products With the Polycarboxylate Water Reducer in the Cement Hydration Process

As one of the most used grouting materials, cement has the characteristics of low price and a wide resource of raw material. With the in-depth research and application of cement admixture, the compatibility between different water-reducing agents and clay has become one of the critical factors that affects the cement hydration process. Due to the adsorption of clay on cement additives, the dispersion efficiency of the water reducer will be reduced, also the strength and impermeability of hydration products will be adversely affected. This paper studies the adsorption characteristics of different PCE superplasticizers on bentonite clay minerals and hydration products using a molecular simulation technique. Results showed that there is competitive adsorption between the clay and hydration products when the admixture participates in the hydration reaction, the additives are likely to adsorb on the CH rather than the clay minerals, while the adsorption energy of the hydration product C-S-H is the highest, thus the preferential adsorption order and compatibility between clay minerals and hydration products on admixtures could also be obtained. PDOS (partial density of states) analysis concluded that some new characteristic peaks and rearrangement of the bonding orbitals may appear after the adsorption, with the peak value of the minerals higher than that of jennite, which is also consistent with the adsorption energy. This study aims to reveal the interaction mechanism and compatibility between the hydration product and clay minerals, hoping to fully utilize the advantages of both clay minerals and admixtures in the cement hydration process.